Move-Out Cleaning Checklist for Lincoln Renters

Moving out is a lot. Between packing, movers, and the new place, cleaning the old one tends to land on the last day, when everyone is already worn out. It's also a big part of how much of your deposit comes back.

This is the checklist our crew uses for a move-out clean in Lincoln. Use it to do the job yourself, or to see exactly what you get when you book us.

Before the clean starts

A move-out clean works best in an empty home. Before the crew arrives:

• Get everything out. Furniture, boxes, and anything left in the closets and cabinets.
• Empty the fridge and freezer. The crew cleans the inside, so it needs to be bare.
• Keep the utilities on. Cleaning needs running water and working lights.
• Take your trash with you. The clean starts with an empty home.
• Leave a way in. You don't need to be there. A key, a lockbox, or a door code works.

Most leases end on the last day of a month, so book your clean as soon as you know your move-out date.

Kitchen

The kitchen usually takes the longest.

• Light fixtures, vents, and the ceiling fan dusted
• Microwave cleaned inside and out
• Countertops and backsplash
• Outside of the fridge, stove, and dishwasher
• Inside the fridge
• Inside the stove
• Inside every cabinet, plus all cabinet fronts
• Sinks and windowsill
• Floors swept, vacuumed, and mopped

Bathrooms

• Light fixtures and vents dusted
• Mirrors, vanity, and sinks
• Cabinet fronts, plus the inside of every cabinet
• Showers, tubs, and glass doors
• Toilets top to bottom, including inside the bowl
• Towel racks and the toilet paper holder
• Floors swept and mopped

Living areas, bedrooms, and laundry

• Light fixtures, vents, and ceiling fans dusted
• Glass cleaned
• Front door, inside and out
• Laundry appliances wiped off
• Windowsills
• Floors swept, vacuumed, and mopped in every room

Every room

Every room also gets these:

• Outlets and light switches
• Inside windows and window trim
• Baseboards
• Door frames

Baseboards and door frames are easy to miss when furniture is in the way. Once the home is empty, they're right there for the landlord to see, which is why we save the move-out clean for after the last box leaves.

Tips for the final walkthrough

• Schedule the clean close to the walkthrough. A day or two before keeps dust and footprints from piling back up.
• Take photos after the clean. Date-stamped pictures of each room are useful if anything comes up later.
• Pull out your move-in checklist. Compare the condition of each room to what you noted when you moved in.
• Read your lease. Some landlords ask for things outside of cleaning, such as wall repairs or carpet care. Those are worth handling before the walkthrough.

One of our customers, Karen, booked her move-out clean for the day after her movers. The movers didn't get her things out, which left her in a bind. Melanie reworked the schedule to fit her in after another company moved everything. In Karen's words: "The cleaning was exceptional and I got my deposit back."

Moving in instead?

The same checklist works for a move-in clean. It's the best time to clean inside every cabinet, before your dishes go in.

You can see your price for a move-in or move-out clean in our instant estimate. Answer a few quick questions and you see your price right away, and we confirm your price and your day before any work starts.

Questions about your move? Call us at (402) 881-7133.

Common questions

When should I schedule a move-out clean?

After the last furniture and boxes are out and before your final walkthrough. An empty home lets the crew reach inside every cabinet, along every baseboard, and across the whole floor.

Do the water and power need to be on for the clean?

Yes. The crew needs running water and working lights, so keep your utilities on until the clean is finished.

Will a move-out clean get my deposit back?

A thorough clean gives you the best chance, but your landlord makes the final call. Check your lease for anything they require on top of cleaning, such as wall repairs or carpet care.